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Looking for a fun and exciting list of things to do in Victoria, BC?
As a former Vancouver local, I’ve been to Victoria more times than I can count. Can you blame me? The city is so beautiful!
For those short on time or visiting for the first time, I understand you only want to enjoy the best attractions. So, this list has been carefully created with you in mind so that you know you are putting the best activities on your itinerary.
If that sounds like your kinda list, keep reading and start exploring!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing to do is this 2-hour food and history tour! You will taste your way through the city while visiting and learning all about the top landmarks and attractions. Check out the 1,600+ 5-star reviews and book this experience here.
Tip: This activity is very popular – reserve your spot now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- The BEST Things to do in Victoria, BC
- Where to Stay in Victoria, BC
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Renting a Car in British Columbia
The BEST Things to do in Victoria, BC
1. Whale Watching
Getting a glimpse of these magnificent creatures will truly be a highlight of your trip to the city! What’s great is that you will often see much more than whales too. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of sea lions, elephant seals, or different types of whales like the orca, humpback, and minke.
The best way to go whale watching from Victoria is on a guided boat tour. You’ll have a knowledgeable guide to help you find whales and fill you in on facts about these amazing creatures along the way. We always see kids on these tours too, and little ones love helping spot wildlife!
The peak season for whale watching is typically between April-November with a 95% success rate of whale sightings. Even outside of peak season, the success rate is still high at 79%.
Rest assured that these tours below include a guarantee of seeing whales and will offer you another tour completely free if you happen to not see any!
Traditional boat tour
This half-day whale watching adventure takes you through the Strait of Juan de Fuca as you look for orcas and humpback whales. The boat is “semi-covered” so you have the option to get out on the open sun decks or stay warm and dry in the heated indoor cabin.
The marine naturalists on board are so good at explaining what you’re seeing and keeping you entertained on the search for whales. Plus, if you don’t see any whales, you get to come back on another tour for free.
One of our favorite parts of this tour is the complimentary photo package that comes along with the $211 CAD tour cost. It includes photos of whatever whales you spot along with photos of you with your family. Such a nice keepsake!
This tour is great for couples and families and typically leaves around 12 pm, and last for around 3 hours making it a great afternoon activity while you’re in Victoria. It only operates from April to November, so if you are visiting during the colder months check out the whale watching tour below instead!
Check out this tour’s 1,800+ 5-star reviews and book your spot here!
Zodiac boat tour
An adventurous choice for our fellow adrenaline junkies, or those that want a closer look at marine life, this zodiac boat tour is one that will knock your socks off! All jokes aside, the water is quite chilly even in the summer months, so be sure to dress warmly (and possibly wear another pair of socks).
This is a smaller speedboat that only holds 12 passengers and your guide. Keep in mind that because the boat is smaller, it will be a much more exhilarating experience and you’re out in the open for this one – so prepare to get wet! Luckily the tour offers an “all-weather floatation suit” that while not very fashionable, definitely helps keep you dry.
We love zodiac tours because the boat can get much closer to the marine life than the larger boats, and the small group size means you will always have an amazing view.
You can grab your spot on the zodiac boat for $204 CAD year-round. Because this tour is a more intense option, it’s not recommended for small children, pregnant women, or those with health conditions.
Book this thrilling zodiac whale watching tour in advance with FREE cancellation options!
2. Learn About the City on a Food & History Tour
A sightseeing tour will let you get acquainted with Victoria and help you see as much as possible if you’re short on time. But even if you have plenty of time to spend in the city, a sightseeing tour can still be a great option as you’ll learn about the city’s history and visit some local hidden gems.
This 2-hour guided food and history tour is our favorite thing to do in Victoria! You will walk around Victoria’s downtown core to visit some top attractions and learn all about Victoria’s unique history as you go. When we went we visited the Public Market, Parliament Buildings, and Trounce Alley just to name a few.
The best part is that you will make stops along the way to taste a variety of local products including chocolate, tea, spring rolls, and pierogis – so make sure you come hungry!
Our guide was so friendly and kept the tour very interesting with stories and jokes. And with a maximum of only 12 people on the tour, things felt very personalized and never crowded which we enjoyed.
The tour runs twice a day at 11 am and 2 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays and costs $100 CAD per person. Make sure you book in advance, because this is one of Victoria’s highest-rated tours, with over 1,600 glowing reviews – check them out here!
Dates are limited – book this food and history tour before it sells out here!
3. Visit the Famous Butchart Gardens
Even if you’re not a gardener, you will want to visit the incredible Butchart Gardens. There are 900 types of plants spread across different gardens, each with its own theme – it’s beautiful in every direction you look! Plus, it’s open all year long so that you can enjoy it in any season!
The best way to experience the garden is on this half-day guided tour, which not only visits the Butchart Gardens but also combines it with a city tour afterward. It’s a great way to learn more about Victoria and all of the wonderful plants you’ll get to see.
While on the tour we learnt that this huge garden is still owned by the family who originally created it more than 100 years ago! It started after Jennie Butchart transformed a former limestone quarry into a sunken garden. It has come a long way since then with additional gardens added (like the stunning rose garden) and special features like outdoor concerts and a carousel.
We love that this tour gives you 2.5 hours to explore the gardens, which is the perfect amount of time to walk the paths to see ponds, fountains, and flowers galore. You can also visit the on-site restaurant for a tea or enjoy some gelato from the Gelateria for a tasty treat!
The tour costs $131 CAD per person, which is a pretty great deal considering it includes hotel pick-up/drop-off, entrance to the Butchart Gardens, and a city tour – just look at all of the 5-star reviews here if you don’t believe us!
Check availability and book this popular Butchart Gardens tour here!
4. Take a Scenic Flight
One of the best ways to see Vancouver Island is undoubtedly from the sky! You have the opportunity to witness panoramic views of the city and its coastline, all from the comfort of a small seaplane. We LOVED our Victoria seaplane flight, it gave us a new perspective on the city and was a ton of fun!
We went on this Victoria Seaplane Tour which lasts around 20 minutes and prices start at only $175 CAD. The meeting point is conveniently located at the Victoria Harbour Airport, where we met our pilot and hopped aboard. Taking off and landing on the water was definitely a highlight for us, you never get used to landing on the water!
We got the best views of Victoria and Vancouver Island and learned a ton of information from our pilot. He definitely deserves a shoutout for making this experience even better!
Check availability and book the same seaplane flight we went on here!
If you are visiting Victoria from Vancouver City, you can even take this one-way seaplane flight in order to get here! I don’t think there’s a more neat way to travel than hopping onboard a seaplane and taking off from the water. You get fantastic views and a change of locations all in one!
During you’re flight you’ll see fantastic scenery including Stanley Park, the Gulf Islands, and British Columbia’s parliament buildings. It’s the perfect way to both bid farewell to Vancouver and say hello to Victoria. This flight starts at $324 CAD and is popular so make sure you book in advance!
Book this Vancouver to Victoria one-way flight here!
5. Go on a Ghost Tour
If you enjoy a bit of dark tourism, you have to try this Ghostly Walking Tour! While a few of Victoria’s neighborhoods have a spooky history, the downtown area has a strong reputation for being haunted. The tour guides know so many cool and creepy stories throughout Victoria’s haunted downtown. They also have a dramatic flair, adding a special delivery to the already spooky anecdotes.
We learned many stories of Victoria’s residents sticking around after they passed. It’s said that out-of-town ghosts are also naturally attracted to the city. Because of cracks in the Earth’s surface deep beneath Victoria, they tend to gravitate to this area.
Our favorite stop on this tour was Bastion Square, which has a very nefarious history. We also liked Market Square, which housed brothels and opium dens during the gold rush in the 1800s. The stories from this area are especially wild, which makes for a truly haunting experience. But we won’t give away too many spoilers – you have to go on the tour to learn more!
What’s awesome is this tour is super convenient and inexpensive! It’s just one hour and starts at 7:30 pm from Thursday to Sunday, making it super easy to fit into your schedule. Plus, it’s just $21 CAD per person, so you definitely don’t want to let this unique opportunity pass you by (just look at the hundreds of 5-star reviews here)!
Check availability and reserve this spooky tour online here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Visit some Local Wineries
Enjoy the finer things of life with an escape to a winery just outside the city. You don’t have to go far – just outside of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula, you will encounter the mildest temperatures and lush valleys that produce award-winning wines.
The best way to experience all of these fantastic wineries is on a wine-tasting tour of course! Tours allow you to relax and enjoy a fully organized experience. Plus, you won’t have to drive so you can taste all of the wine you want!
For a personalized experience (with a built-in designated driver), this private winery tour is the way to go. You can customize your tour to visit different vineyards, distilleries, cider-house farms, and craft breweries in the area. It definitely feels a bit like you’re a celebrity as you’re chauffeured around! The tour price varies depending on the stops you choose and group size, so expect to pay anywhere from around $300-600 CAD for this one.
This is our top pick if you’re traveling with a group of friends! All of your tastings, lunch, and transportation in a Tesla are included in this tour.
Check availability and secure your private wine-tasting experience here!
For a more budget-friendly option, join this small group wine tour around the Cowichan Valley outside of Victoria. The tour stops at several family-owned wineries where you’ll sample some of the best wines they have to offer. You’ll also get a yummy farm-to-table lunch along the way.
All the tastings and transportation from Victoria are included in the $159 CAD cost, but if you decide to purchase a bottle (or two!), that’s on you.
Book this 5-star small group wine tour in advance with FREE cancellation!
Related read: If you’re doing a wine tour across BC, don’t miss Kelowna and Penticton! There are so many beautiful Kelowna wineries and wine tours to check out as well as the wine tasting tours near Penticton.
7. Explore Chinatown
Chinatown is one of our favorite places in Victoria, and it’s actually the largest Chinatown in Canada. This place is packed with history, culture, shopping, and many eateries. While you can easily spend hours wandering around, the best way to find all the amazing spots is with a local guide!
This 2-hour Chinatown tour takes you to eat, drink, and explore in one of the most scenic neighborhoods in Victoria. When we joined this tour, it truly felt like a deep dive into the area. We saw top tourist sights like the Chinese Language School and the Gate of Harmonious Interest while learning all about their cultural significance.
Then, we headed to Victoria Public Market to begin the food portion! It’s a huge space with a ton of permanent vendor stalls with delicious food, coffee, and local goods. We ate a variety of modern cuisines like Italian arancini and one of Victoria Pie Co.’s famous pies.
A tour of Chinatown is never complete without a visit to Fan Tan Alley. This bustling alley was notorious for gambling and opium dens back in the day but is now a heritage site and also the narrowest road in Canada. Don’t worry, your tour guide will make sure you capture that iconic alley photo as a souvenir!
Bonus points because this walking tour also includes craft beer at the end – talk about the perfect ending!
This 2-hour tour runs every day but Monday, meeting at 11 am. The $120 CAD price covers your guide and all the tastings. It is very popular, with over 100 great reviews, so make sure you book in advance!
Check availability and book your ticket here!
Related Read: If you’re also visiting Vancouver on your trip, make sure to check out the best Vancouver city tours!
8. Enjoy a Horse-drawn Carriage Ride
A horse-drawn carriage is always a romantic and enchanting experience, although, of course, it’s always important to use an ethical company that takes good care of its animals.
We did this 1-hour long tour with Victoria’s longest-running horse-drawn carriage company, which is widely recognized for its excellent animal care. Cozy up in a traditional horse-drawn carriage as you wander around Victoria seeing iconic sights such as Beacon Hill Park, historic James Bay, and the Salish Sea waterfront.
It is such a fun and unique experience that really brings Victoria’s British colonial history to life! The tour costs $275 CAD for a group of up to 6 people, so this tour is perfect for a group of friends or a family. Plus, your group gets the carriage all to themselves, making it a great private experience.
To explore Victoria in a horse-drawn carriage, secure your spot here!
9. Take in the Views at the Malahat Skywalk
Malahat Skywalk is a huge, spiraling wooden ramp that takes you high above the Malahat forest, where you can enjoy incredible views of the trees and the Salish Sea.
Going to visit the Malahat Skywalk is easy by car. If you’ve got your own wheels or a rental car in Victoria, it’s a 35-minute drive north of the city along the Malahat Highway. If not, there’s a shuttle from downtown that departs every day at 11 am.
The Skywalk is open every day, all year round, although admission times do vary according to season. It can also get a bit chilly at the top, so it’s a good idea to bring an additional layer of clothing, even if you’re visiting on a warm day.
We’ve saved our favorite detail about the skywalk until last: the HUGE slide!
Once you’ve soaked up the views, you can take a ride all the way back down to the ground on a 20-meter-high (65-foot) spiral slide. You’ll feel like a big kid as you whiz down – honestly, the slide alone is worth the entry fee.
You can book your tickets in advance here and can show up at any time of the day, although we recommend giving yourself at least two hours to explore, so plan accordingly. They are open from 9 am to 6 pm Monday – Wednesday and 9 am to 7:30 pm on Thursday – Sunday.
Check ticket prices and availability here!
10. Enjoy Craft Beer
Mix craft beer and a walking tour and we are likely to be there! This 3-hour tour combines Victoria’s best street art and craft beer, two of our favorite things. But aside from the delicious tastings, we also enjoyed this tour because you really pick up on Victoria’s local vibe.
You’ll stop at three different breweries, exploring murals along the way. When we went, our guide told us all about the artist, history, and meaning behind each piece of art. It left us with a deeper appreciation for the artwork and how it connects to the city itself – a cool window into the culture!
But now let’s discuss the beer! The tour begins at Phillips Brewing which has such a classic West Coast vibe. Whether you prefer your beer light, sour, hoppy, or dark – you’ll find one you like here!
But we were even more excited to see Ile Sauvage on the list. This place really is a hidden gem! And if you love sour beers, you’re going to be in heaven here. Out of the ones we tried, the cranberry and hibiscus was my favorite, but the sea salt and spirulina was also tasty and unique!
Finally, the tour ends at Moon Under Water, another spot that tourists usually don’t hear about. It’s a hip, local vibe with a solid menu. If you aren’t soured-out from Ile Sauvage, they have a great raspberry sour called Moon Juice, and a great burger – walking tours definitely work up my appetite!
Tours are offered every day except Monday and Tuesday, and they start at 2 pm or 6 pm. You need to be at least 19 years old to drink in Canada, so this tour is better for groups of friends or couples. The $142 CAD price covers all the tastings and your guide, but definitely plan on buying dinner afterward!
This is a popular tour that sells out fast, so book it in advance here!
Related Read: For more help planning the perfect Victoria trip, check out our detailed 3-day itinerary complete with tips and times!
Where to Stay in Victoria, BC
If Victoria has already won you over with its charm, history, and stunning greenspaces (it’s not called the “Garden City” for nothing!), you’re going to want to spend some time here. While you could easily stay a week, even just a few days or a weekend will leave you enough time to check off some of the things we’ve mentioned above.
Victoria is most popular during the warm, summery months (think May to August), so if you’re planning on coming then, make sure to book a hotel well in advance. If you’re not sure where to book, check out our full guide on where to stay in Victoria or our top picks below!
Fairmont Empress Hotel – $$$
This hotel is so beautiful, we had to mention it twice! Coming here, it will be no surprise why staying at the Fairmont Empress Hotel is one of the top things to do in Victoria. It’s one of those grand railway hotels built across Canada that looks more like a castle than a hotel!
The rooms here are elegant and luxurious – you’ll see why this is where royalty stays when visiting Victoria. Grab afternoon tea, book a spa treatment, or just wander around the gardens. Staying here is an experience! Rooms here start around $350-400 CAD per night and you can check availability online here.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort – $$$
As soon as you see “resort” in the name, you know you’re in for a treat with this one! Enjoy a bit of luxury at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort located near the harbor. The view is spectacular here looking out onto the water during the day or seeing the lights of the parliament buildings at night.
Once you’re done exploring the city, come back to the hotel for a dip in the indoor pool or head out on the tennis courts. Rooms here are more around the $300 CAD range. Check out all the different rooms available and book your stay here.
The Embassy Inn – $$
Stay in the heart of Victoria’s harbor at The Embassy Inn. If you’re taking the ferry here, this hotel is so convenient with its location right near the docks. You can easily walk around to see the sights nearby and grab the included breakfast before you head out every morning. Rooms here are around $170 CAD and you can check availability and book on Booking.com.
Helm’s Inn – $
For a budget-friendly hotel with space to spare, Helm’s Inn has you covered. This all-suite hotel means you have plenty of space with kitchenettes so you can cook up a quick meal before heading out to explore. Some of the best sights are SO close with Beacon Hill Park across the street and the Legislature and Royal BC Museum only a stone’s throw away. Rooms here start at $140 CAD and can be booked online here.
Ocean Island Backpackers – $
Ocean Island Backpackers Inn is a budget hostel located in downtown Victoria, close to lots of bars and restaurants and within walking distance of the harbor. The best part is that breakfast, dinner, and one free drink every night at the pub downstairs are included in your stay!
It’s perfect if you’re backpacking across BC on a budget – a bunk here is around $44 CAD. Private rooms are also available (more around $130 CAD) if sharing isn’t your thing. Book a stay on HostelWorld.com or Booking.com.
For even more options, click here to browse all hotels in Victoria!
Renting a Car in British Columbia
If you’re arriving in British Columbia via plane, then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough. British Columbia is a large province, and traveling between the best places to visit in BC requires transport. Although you can use public transport on some occasions, this means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Car rental in Canada isn’t relatively cheap, but it’s not that expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with a pick-up and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though, depending on the time of year. For car rentals, I use the website Discover Cars. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used Discover Cars all over the world, including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic, you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Read my tips on using Motorhome Republic here before you book!
And if you’re planning to visit the Canadian Rockies during your trip, we highly recommend Smile Campervans. Based in Calgary, this local company provides compact campervans fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and affordable road trip adventure!
In fact, Smile Campervans has actually given us a special discount code for our readers! Use the code DESTINATIONLESSTRAVEL at checkout to get 5% off your campervan rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!
Thanks for reading!
Victoria, BC is one of those cities you’re going to want to visit more than once. The architecture, history, waterfront, and flowers upon flowers, make it a perfect place to get a mix of city and nature in the same place. There’s so much going on or it’s easy to find a spot to relax, I love that about Victoria. Hopefully, you are full of ideas for your own trip here!
No matter how you’re planning on exploring Canada, we’ve got you covered! Make sure to check out our road trip blogs for some of the best routes and stops along the way. Then, come back after your travels and leave us a comment about your favorite spots in Victoria or all of BC!
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